Hello and welcome

Artist, wife, animal lover and friend. I created this blog to spread blessings around the globe. I am spiritual and believe in the power of prayer and intention. I am not claiming to make miracles happen, I just felt inspired to do this based on a 'pay it forward' feeling I had.
I am truly very blessed and wish the same for you.

Category: Diary Of The Rosary Beads

I know Christine from my teen years. We were always friends but not super duper close .. so when she requested to be a part of this I was over joyed. She was always a sweet girl. We actually bumped into each other a few years back at a craft show I was doing. She has blossomed into a confident beautiful woman and I was so happy for her!!

I want to thank Christine B for praying on a rosary and giving us her inspiring story. Below is an unedited experience from her after spending some time with one of the rosaries. Enjoy her words and thank you for being a source of inspiration. After reading this many people can relate and I hope they are inspired too….

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My Experience With The Fatima Rosary by Christine B:

I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special initiative that is near and dear to you and hopefully inspiring others.

When I first received the beautiful rosary I placed it on a cross I have hanging in my room that was my grandfather’s. I wanted the rosary to get settled in to its new environment and get to know me a little. The cross (Divinity wooden sick call cross) is wooden and inside it holds a set of candles and a bottle of holy water. I am uncertain as to where my grandfather acquired the cross, but I do know that is has been in our family for over 60 years. I received the cross from my mom after my grandmother passed away, January 29, 2011. R.I.P. Harriet Spagnolo, you were an amazing woman. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you!

I understand that being a part of this blessing go around, means we are to share with you and others our experiences. I can only say that I felt at peace when holding/praying the rosary. When I wasn’t, the rosary would hang on the cross in my bedroom. Just having the Fatima Rosary near to me was soothing and I felt as though I had another guardian angel to watch over me.

As I mentioned above I lost my grandmother this year, which is why I wanted to be a part of this special initiative…..I know that God does not give you more than you can handle, but sometimes I feel as though I am pushed to the limits. It’s amazing, how everything seems to
work……You open your mind and heart and things just start to happen. Kind of like right now it seems as though my personal life right keeps getting more amazing each day, if that is possible! I have finally found someone who makes me laugh and accepts me for ME. I am a firm believer in things happen for a reason and people come in and out of our lives for a reason. The Rosary has shown/given me this….I had to go through ALL the ups and downs to get to where I am today. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t even blink an eye.

I so feel blessed to have been a part of your Blessing go around.

Have an amazing day, for each day is a gift from Heaven.

Sincerely,

Christine

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RIP to your grandma Christine 🙂 I’m so happy you blessed us with your support and participation in Blessings Go Round. Keep smiling and inspiring everyone around you!!!!

Want to create a healthier, happier world? This is not only a blog, but a group initiative to pray and pass on blessings! Read my first post to find out how you can get involved and be part of this mission to spread joy, blessings and love. Make a difference for YOU and the world:

This entry is the inspiration Rose T. received after praying on a Fatima rosary for Blessings Go Round.

I have recently reconnected with Rose through Facebook (gotta love FB.) She was a great friend to me as a teen and gave me so much wisdom and inspiration. Though we were years apart in age, we got along like best friends. She was always happy and positive.

I know recently she has gone through many tests and yet is always positive and upbeat through it all. She is a truly blessed woman with a wonderful family. Here is her brief story in her own words:

“In the past 15 years I realized that we really don’t have control over our lives…life happens when you’re living each day thinking that things are fine and then something happens to make you realize life is so fragile.

Wishing for “things” and hoping for someone to get “better” if they’re sick used to be the “norm” and I’m sure it’s the “norm” for everyone.

I have realized since we don’t have control of our lives…we should just pray for strength and guidance and TURN the rest of it OVER ….. I find peace with the prayer…”trust in the lord with all your might lean not on your own understanding….acknowledge him in every way and he shall guide your path”

Thank you Rose for sharing with us your inspiring message. I too found my path and enlightenment later on in life. I guess sometimes you have to go through experiences to find the light.

Friends, I hope this entry inspires you to find your guidance and enlightenment. Have a blessed day!

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Join the initiative 🙂

Want to create a healthier, happier world? This is not only a blog, but a group initiative to pray and pass on blessings! Read my first post to find out how you can get involved and be part of this mission to spread joy, blessings and love. Make a difference for YOU and the world:

This is my second entry about the experiences of everyday people who have prayed on a Blessings Go Round Fatima rosary.

This entry happens to be written by my personal friend Donna. I met Donna a few years ago while doing craft shows. She is a jewelry designer and much, much more. I was so attracted to her positive spirit and she conveyed this in her jewelry designs. She created inspiring pieces with the theme of the chakras and her unique designs using natural stones, glass and crystal beads really made her jewelry stand out. She is a truly beautiful person and I am so blessed to have become friends with her.

Donna prayed on a rosary for a few weeks. When I asked for her experience here is what she gave me, unedited:

You sent me an email saying that you can’t wait to hear my “inspiring” story. To inspire: to do or feel something, to create, animate with a feeling, instill into a person…these are all meanings of inspire!

You have done this Anna, you have done this just by sending the rosary for me to feel, to create, to do something.

I believe everything happens for a reason and time will always tell. We may not always understand or agree, but God does not give us what we cannot handle. I am an artist at heart, I went to college for art and dance and yet my occupation is in the medical field.

I do still creative jewelry and I dance but both are my hobbies not for financial support.

They say women in their forties have found themselves and know what they want. Even before I received the rosary I knew what my intentions for it would be. I have been in a job for the last 4 1/2 years that has not been ideal. I am the last person who enjoys complaining, but this was a very hostile working environment. I have been trying to find a new job and praying for peace since I started working there. Most of us know, finding a new job isn’t so easy these days.

My time spent with the rosary gave me the answers that I was looking for. Funny how events would happen after I started praying on the rosary that showed human resources the pain that I was suffering. My mind and heart felt more open with the rosary, more aware. I actually felt stronger. I have read the book “The Secret” and I do believe in mind over matter. The rosary helped me with that belief. The rosary was the extra strength that I needed.

I was offered a severance package. Finally, a new Human Resources employee came to my aid. There was nowhere else for me to go, there were no other jobs within the company, but there was this package. Would you take it? Would you stay where you felt sick to your stomach everyday or would you thank the rosary and run?

I know it was the rosary that helped and I am so blessed. I have a beautiful family, friends and the most loving boyfriend that a girl could ask for.

What we attract in life, is what we truly desire, what we know we deserve. I met Anna for a reason, people are always in our life for a reason.

I will find a job or maybe my artistic talent will not just be my hobby anymore. I know everything will work out. I have always had faith and now it is even stronger.

Thank you Anna for the rosary, for the blessings. I hope you continue to inspire people, I know I will.

Your blessed friend,

Donna

She is so blessed 🙂 I hope Donna’s story inspires you as it has me! Thank you again Donna for sharing your story I am sure many people will enjoy it and find their courage to have strength, faith and know all will work out if you believe.

This is not only a blog, but a group initiative to pray and pass on blessings! Read my first post to find out how you can get involved and be part of this mission to spread joy, blessings and love. Make a difference for YOU and the world:

Welcome to my first post about the travels of the Fatima rosary beads. Ten rosaries have been sent out to people all over the country by requests I received. Each week I hope to bring to you personal experiences of individuals who pray on a Fatima rosary (as part of the Blessings Go Round initiative to make the world a more blessed place through prayer.) I am honored to bring this to you and hope you enjoy reading about real people’s experiences and their spiritual journey with a Fatima rosary. Information is at the bottom of this post on how you can pray on one of the rosaries and pass on to another person.

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I would like to introduce you to from Cat in WI. Some of you may already be familiar with her, knowing her as CatCanPaint. http://www.etsy.com/shop/catcanpaint I was so honored that Cat was a part of Blessings Go Round the rosary and prayer initiative. Not only because of her deep spiritual beliefs in miracles, but her openness and turning to this opportunity for seeking more guidance as she worked through some complicated issues in her life. Please enjoy viewing her original artwork as you read her story.

This is Cat. She is radient 🙂

I asked Cat for a brief ‘Who Am I’ bio: I have always loved animals, and because of that became a vegetarian many decades ago. I am in my 50’s, and am experiencing what I would call a “return to who I am” or a “re-discovery” or a genuine understanding of my inner nature, the paths I have taken, and those I have not, and maybe why…

Being a vegetarian, I got little support and felt that my individual efforts didn’t matter much in making changes for the animals. Then in a Rip Van Winkle moment, my oldest daughter announced that she was going vegan, and I was transported back all those decades, feeling those same strong feelings again.

I also dropped dairy and egg from my diet. And much to my total surprise, several serious health conditions that I had cleared up completely, including the pain of osteoarthritis.

So now I am vegan, and somewhat of an armchair activist for the animals. And though I became vegan for ethical reasons, I am learning about the nutritional advantages.

And the veterinarian thing… I had at one time wondered if I had messed up and had missed my calling, but I now realize that this desire sprung from my love and connection to animals, and that the business aspect of such a career would have made working in this capacity impossible for me. At the vet I overheard a conversation about a dog that had to be turned away because the owner could not afford to pay… If I were a veterinarian I could never turn anyone away for lack of money… so had I become one, I would undoubtedly been a bankrupt one…

And, at least for myself, I can see that all the gifts that I was given by God, were all there in the early years… the person that I am today, is who I have always been, though my soul has grown in understanding, and my compassion widened, through all the experiences and trials along the way.

I believe in non-violence, am a great admirer of the writings of Fr. John Dear (Jesuit priest) Here is my favorite quote of Fr. Dear’s:

“If we care for the earth, we must end both corporate greed and extreme poverty. As we make these connections, we will deepen our spiritual understanding of reality and see everything as a spiritual issue, a life-and-death issue. We are not allowed to destroy the Creator’s creation; we are not allowed to wreak such havoc on the earth or on God’s children. We are called to practice nonviolence in every aspect of life.” ~Fr. John Dear “Put Down Your Sword”

I am also a mother (of five), an artist, and a volunteer raptor handler. I do believe that one day everything will be restored as God created it, and the lion will lie down with the lamb… and I can’t wait for this wonderful day…

Now that you have gotten to know the woman, here is the story of her experience with the Fatima rosary in her own words:

I have been struggling with what to write… I am currently experiencing a very rough patch in my life right now, very rough, probably the roughest so far… struggling with a lot of things… but the personal details (because it would take a lot of explaining and background) are probably not as significant (to others) as the results of my spiritual discoveries, after receiving the Fatima rosary.

I don’t recall if the tsunami in Japan hit just before I got the rosary or shortly after… but that whole scenario certainly dwarfs my personal troubles… and I cried every time I turned on the TV, powerless too help, other than sending love and prayers to all affected by this disaster…

And some people may wonder how God lets things like this happen, but I do know that all who struggle and suffer are blessed with growth in spirit, and they do find God’s arms wrapping around them. And I was so touched and amazed at the strength of the Japanese people… waiting in line for hours to get food rations without complaining, selflessly helping each other and the ones most in need of attention. There was a Japanese couple highlighted on one of the news programs–they were hurriedly repairing their damaged home so that they could then move on to help their neighbors…

I remember Anna asking me which rosary I wanted, and I knew that it did not matter, and that any one that she sent would be wonderful. Secretly, I was hoping for the dark blue one, though (I don’t know why, other than I liked the depth of it’s color).

As I opened the package I felt a chill, like a flu-like chill throughout my body. It was very real, and very odd, because I was sitting right by a heating vent in my home that was blowing warm air on me at that very moment.

The rosary was light blue, and beautiful…

I held it in my hands and inspected it… Inscribed on the little medallion was “terra de fatima”… earth of Fatima…

My sick kitty was sleeping at the windowsill, and I pressed the earth of Fatima on the bare skin of his back where the fur had been shaved off months before, but had not grown back (the place where his pain patch had been placed after a lifesaving surgery). He began to purr loudly… God has placed this beautiful, but sick animal in my care, and I have learned so much from him about love, hope, and the fragility of life…

One of Cat’s original works of art.

The gray light of day streaming through the window, suddenly became infused with sun, and lit up the cat’s white fur, and made the rosary sparkle. There was a clear glass bowl of water on the floor nearby, and it became animated in the brilliant light. The colors of the peach flowers and deep green of the rug reflected vibrantly in the water, and I could see the moving branches of trees outside of the window, mirrored and dancing in the water too.

There were also some white shapes in the water, reflected from something in the room, and they almost looked like wings, white wings hugging the clear glass dish.

Ok, so I have a creative imagination… maybe…

I then put my new rosary in my pocket… the dog needed to be walked, so I set out to do that…

I was a half a block from home when I ran into a friend who lives a few blocks away, who I had not seen in awhile. She was walking her two little Chihuahuas, and was actually on her way to my house with a gift for me. It was a book and meditation CD that she found helpful,l and thought I might too. I showed her the Fatima rosary, and told her about the Blessings Go Round. And she told me that she had just sent me an email before she had left the house, and that I should check my email inbox when I got home.

So when I got home with my new rosary, and the gift from my friend, I went to check my email. My friend had sent the email at exactly at the same time that I was contemplating the reflections and wing-like shapes in the water bowl. The email was entitled “Blessings” and it said “You have received this angel because you at some point in life have been an angel. No one saw your wings but they felt your love.” There is a drawing of 2 white wings accompanying the email…

And one thing led to another… the meditation book/cd from my friend helped me tremendously, as did some music cds that I stumbled upon. I began listening to “Revelation Song” by Kari Jobe every time I went anywhere in my car, as well as 3 other tracts from another album, “Painted Red” by JJ Heller. ( “Save Me,” “Your Hands,” and “Painted Red”)

The words from “Your Hands” highlight my recent spiritual journey:

I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn’t there

And I have asked a thousand ways

That you take my pain away…

I am trying to understand

How to walk this weary land

Make straight the paths that crooked lie

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine…

When my world is shaking, heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave your hands

When you walked upon the earth

You healed the broken, lost and hurt

I know you hate to see me cry

One day you will set all things right

Yeah, one day you will set all things right

Your hands that shaped the world

Are holding me

They hold me still

And since I have had and prayed with the rosary, I have received comfort and enlightenment that have strengthened me. I have had many lessons in this short time. I have learned to be the receiver of help, prayers, and love… to be vulnerable and in need… and as I gain strength and move forward and reclaim my ability to stand without aid, I will not forget my pain and desperation… I will not forget the crushing weight… And I am so glad for relief… My heart has grown and I can offer help, prayers, and love to others facing the challenges of life. My compassion springs from that place of knowing, of having lived there myself…

During my time with the rosary a friend was diagnosed with cancer, and many people around me struggled with their own challenges… We may not understand fully why we must endure these trials, and people without faith may just view them as the cruelty of life, but I do believe that our souls expand and grow through all of the pain… When each of us is vulnerable and hurting, those of us who are strong can offer tremendous aid through gesture and through prayer. We all take turns in both of these roles… being the supporter, and being in need of support… we ARE all connected… I can feel it, and it is real…

I intuitively knew when it was time to pass on the rosary… And a note to the person who is receiving my rosary: I wrapped the rosary with my business card because the photo on the card is of a little owl friend of mine who died while I had the rosary. He still has wings, but now he is an angel…

And I thank God for the great gift of connection with animals and nature. Your hand is so evident in these beautiful, living works… But I am sad that for many, the beauty and perfection go unnoticed… You speak to me through nature and I wish that everyone could hear what I hear…

Note cards featuring Cat’s original art.

I wanted to mention that Cat emailed me privately with more information that she rather keep private … but I assure you her story as told was not the end.

~~~~Thank you Cat for your dedication to this initiative and allowing miracles to manifest through your belief. God bless you and yours. I too prayed on that rosary before I sent it to you requesting the most benevolent blessings to manifest for you. You have received divine enlightenment and miracles indeed.~~~~